Here Comes the VeganMoFo

First day of VeganMoFo (and my first year of participating)! I’m excited, but I have to be honest, there’s something else going on today that I’m a tad more excited about — my big sis’s wedding! In four hours, I’ll be walkin’ down the aisle and watching my big sis get married. I’ve already had my hair and make-up done and have been practicing my toast. But I couldn’t miss the first day of MoFo. Here’s a short, easy recipe — if you’re still buying those packs of oatmeal, stop! Oatmeal is beyond easy to make and it takes less than 10 minutes. Plus, buying rolled oats in bulk is a lot cheaper than buying the packs. I make oatmeal almost every day, a big batch for me and the dogs. Feel free to use different dried fruit or nuts/seeds, based on what you have.

Easy Everyday Oameal

1 cup rolled oats

3 cups water

1 apple, chopped

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

5-6 dried dates, pitted and chopped

pinch of salt

up to 1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract, optional

Heat all ingredients in a pot on medium heat, stirring frequently to make sure it doesn’t stick (it doesn’t have to be constant, if you’ve got other things to take care of in the morning, just make sure you check in on it). Cook until it reaches a good consistency, about ten minutes or so. Drizzle maple syrup and/or nondairy milk on top before eating, if desired (I just eat it how it is, but you may like it a bit sweeter). Enjoy!

I’m off to the wedding…here are two pictures from the rehearsal dinner last night.

Me (left) and my little cousin, Al — she’ll also be walkin’ down the aisle with us in a few hours.